East Standard: Kenyan Journalists Protest Against Draconian Law

Hundreds of Kenyan journalists marched silently through Nairobi streets to condemn a proposed law that would compel reporters to reveal their sources.

The journalists, drawn from all media houses in the country, also presented a petition to Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr Francis Muthaura. They are petitioning President Kibaki not to assent to the Media Bill.

"Sir the members of the Press are here but they are not talking," an official at the Office of the President was overheard saying on phone.

"They are not asking any questions either," he added.

The journalists donned black bands and masking tape gags to protest

the requirement to name their news sources.

The silent demonstration started at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park. The journalists then marched around Parliament after presenting their petition.

Several radio stations declined to run their morning news broadcasts and instead played music or held talk shows instead. On Tuesday, Attorney-General Mr Amos Wako said he would advise the President to refer the Media Bill back to Parliament.

Kenyan journalists protest against the proposed law in Nairobi on Wednesday morning. Picture by Robert Gicheru.

The Bill was passed by Parliament about two weeks ago and Ol Kalou MP Mr Karue Muriuki sneaked in the offending clause in the last minutes of the debate.

Bill passed by only 29 MPs

The offending clause states: "When a story includes unnamed parties who are not disclosed and the same becomes the subject of a legal tussle as to who is meant, then the editor shall be obligated to disclose the identity of the party or parties referred to".

There has been a public outrage over the Media Bill passed by only 29 MPs, which is less than the necessary parliamentary quorum of 30 MPs.

On Tuesday, the Government admitted that the Bill could compel journalists to name their sources.

On Tuesday, Wako said the reference to unnamed sources in clause 38 (4) was not qualified or restricted to refer to subjects of media publication and could therefore be construed to include sources of information.

"There is therefore need for a reformulation of the clause to exclude sources which were never intended to be covered or for the deletion of the clause altogether," Wako said in a statement.

Information and Communications minister Mr Mutahi Kagwe had referred the Bill to the AG for interpretation following uproar.

AG to advise President to refer Bill back to House

Lawyers, journalists, politicians, churches and civil society groups had complained that if enacted, the law would gag the media.

And after scrutinising the Bill, Wako confirmed these fears: "I have now had the opportunity to peruse the Hansard report on the Media Bill and my comment is that the reference to 'unnamed parties' was never qualified".

Wako said he would advise the President not to assent to the Bill.

"I will advise the President to refer the Bill back to the National Assembly for reconsideration of the offending clause by deletion or suitable amendment to reflect the intended purpose as aforesaid," he said.

Later, Kagwe said he too would ask the President to refer the contentious Bill back to Parliament.

"He (Wako) has written to me saying the specific amendment can indeed be misconstrued and that unnamed parties can indeed include the source," stated Kagwe at a news conference at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday evening.